A mother has urged parents to educate themselves on the symptoms of diabetes after her three-year-old son was rushed to Temple Street Children’s hospital when he stopped eating.
Valerie Moore, from Meath, told how her then three-year-old son Nicholas stopped eating but was always thirsty and constantly vomiting.
Quick-thinking Valerie rushed Nicholas to Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin where he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
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Valerie said within five minutes of arriving a finger prick test indicated diabetes. She said the family was thrown into the world of diabetes, which involves understanding foods and how to balance insulin levels to work out insulin doses along with constantly monitoring his blood sugar.
While they have largely gotten to grips with managing the disease and Nicholas wears an insulin pump now, it’s something that is with them every day.
His nine-year-old sister Gráinne, is a great support to him and his school has an emergency action plan to guide them as to what to do if his blood sugars become too high or too low.
"Nicholas is also aware of what to do. He must always be careful about what he eats to balance his insulin levels, this involves Valerie weighing all his food and carefully labelling it.
Everything from stress to exercise or illness can affect Nicholas’ insulin levels. Now Nicholas is aged 11, and Valerie and her husband Vincent are preparing him to take up his first Diabetic RetinaScreen appointment, when he becomes eligible in the new year.
Valerie said: “I’ve been teaching Nicholas about his condition and how to manage it at every stage, because ultimately it will be up to him to cope independently into the future.
"We’ve already started talking to him about Diabetic RetinaScreen and how important it will be for him to get the screening test done every year once he turns 12. Of course, it’s uncomfortable talking about the consequences of his disease not being managed correctly, such as eye issues, but that’s the reality of coping with diabetes.
“He’s aware diabetes can affect his sight and that the test will help spot any issues early. We’re grateful the screening service is there to support him, and us, in one aspect of managing his diabetes.”
Valerie was speaking ahead of World Diabetes Day and Ireland’s national Diabetic Retinopathy Screening (DRS) programme is highlighting the importance of simple screening tests to those with diabetes.
Alison O’Carroll from Co. Clare was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of eight. At first, she was disciplined, checking her blood sugar and injecting insulin up to four times per day. However, upon becoming “a rebellious teenager”, she grew tired of the routine.
The 29-year-old said: “I know how debilitating and annoying and upsetting diabetes is for a young person,” she said. “When you’re 16 or 17, the idea of losing limbs or going blind from diabetes doesn’t seem real. I got lazy. Sometimes I didn’t check my blood sugar and took my insulin erratically, just guessing at the amount I needed. I thought I was indestructible, but now I understand how destructive the condition can be.”
In her twenties Alison experienced sight loss because of diabetic retinopathy. She says: “Luckily, I kept up screening. If not, the damage could be far worse.”
In recent years, she had surgeries to her eyes, which has been a difficult experience, but ultimately successful.
She added: “Diabetic RetinaScreen is important. Sign-up for it. Ring up and get the information. Go to your appointments, don’t miss them. Diabetes is a problem, a battle, mentally as well as physically. It can be controlled, but it takes discipline.”
The HSE’s Diabetic RetinaScreen (DRS) programme offers free regular screening to people with diabetes aged 12 years and older. Screening involves taking a specialised image of your eyes at one of over 130 screening locations nationally.
The test looks for early warning signs of diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes caused by high blood glucose (sugar) levels damaging the back of the eye (retina).
"If left undiagnosed and untreated diabetic retinopathy may lead to blindness. However, if diabetic eye disease is found early, treatment can reduce or prevent damage to your sight.
Diabetic RetinaScreen Programme Manager, Helen Kavanagh said: “If left undiagnosed and untreated diabetic retinopathy can deprive people of their sight, but it usually takes many years to reach that stage.
"This free eye screening test offers people with diabetes an opportunity to detect problems early, which can lead to more successful treatment and better outcomes.
"The longer you have diabetes the higher the risk, that’s why we’re encouraging everyone aged 12 years and older to be registered with Diabetic RetinaScreen today.”
Professor David Keegan, Diabetic RetinaScreen Clinical Director, said: “As we celebrate this year’s World Diabetes Day, we acknowledge the work and efforts of all involved in eye care delivery.
"We encourage all people with diabetes to take up their free diabetic retina screening appointment to detect and treat any possible sight-threatening retinopathy. Our teams are here to look after you.”
You’re still at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy even if your diabetes is under control and your last test was normal. Diabetic retina screening only looks for diabetic retinopathy – you still need to visit your eye doctor, optician, or GP for your regular eye examinations.
Diabetic retinopathy can develop between screenings so it’s important to contact an eye doctor, optician or GP if you develop symptoms:
1. Gradually worsening vision
2. Sudden vision loss
3. Shapes floating in your field of vision (floaters)
4. Blurred or patchy vision
5. Eye pain or redness
To register for Diabetic RetinaScreen talk to your GP, practice nurse, dietitian, or eye doctor. Visit hse.ie/diabeticretinascreen or Freephone 1800 45 45 55.
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